D.J. Hayden | Defensive Back | #31

3/10/2017: Signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract. The deal contains $2.25 million guaranteed -- a $1 million signing bonus and $1.25 million of Hayden's 2017 base salary. Another $1.5 million is available through incentives. 2017: $2 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus + $250,000 workout bonus), 2018: Free Agent

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The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett expects D.J. Hayden to open the season as the Lions' slot corner.

He'd replace Quandre Diggs, who slumped as a sophomore before suffering a year-ending pectoral tear. Hayden was a disaster in four years with the Raiders, getting flamed in coverage both on the perimeter and inside. Whether it's Hayden or Diggs in the slot, this will be a position to attack in DFS. May 8 - 3:44 PM

Lions signed CB D.J. Hayden, formerly of the Raiders, to a one-year contract.

He can earn up to $5.25 million. The 12th overall pick of the 2013 draft, Hayden was one of many first-round busts that year. Many experts had Hayden pegged as the best corner in that draft, but he's had a far worse start to his career than the three corners -- Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes, Darius Slay -- drafted directly after him. Hayden couldn't cut it on the outside in Oakland, so the Raiders tried him in the slot. He was somewhat serviceable there, but no better than league average. Maybe DC Teryl Austin can get more out of Hayden. He's still just 27 (in June). It's not a bad flier. Mar 10 - 8:39 AM

Hayden might have had his best season in 2016 playing primarily in the slot, but he still was a below-average starter who managed just 11 games before landing on injured reserve. It is extremely unlikely Hayden will ever live up to his first-round cost, but a change of scenery could do him some good. Feb 21 - 1:11 PM

The 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Hayden turned in his career-best season in 2016, but that wasn't saying much. He forced just one takeaway across 11 games and got burned incessantly over the past seven after a solid opening month of the year. Hayden is an impending unrestricted free agent. Fri, Dec 2, 2016 03:28:00 PM

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Lions signed CB D.J. Hayden, formerly of the Raiders, to a one-year contract.

He can earn up to $5.25 million. The 12th overall pick of the 2013 draft, Hayden was one of many first-round busts that year. Many experts had Hayden pegged as the best corner in that draft, but he's had a far worse start to his career than the three corners -- Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes, Darius Slay -- drafted directly after him. Hayden couldn't cut it on the outside in Oakland, so the Raiders tried him in the slot. He was somewhat serviceable there, but no better than league average. Maybe DC Teryl Austin can get more out of Hayden. He's still just 27 (in June). It's not a bad flier.

Hayden might have had his best season in 2016 playing primarily in the slot, but he still was a below-average starter who managed just 11 games before landing on injured reserve. It is extremely unlikely Hayden will ever live up to his first-round cost, but a change of scenery could do him some good.

The 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Hayden turned in his career-best season in 2016, but that wasn't saying much. He forced just one takeaway across 11 games and got burned incessantly over the past seven after a solid opening month of the year. Hayden is an impending unrestricted free agent.

Raiders CB D.J. Hayden suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 12 win over the Panthers.

Hayden is the Raiders' slot corner. He was forced into every-down duties against Carolina with LCB David Amerson (out) and allowed just one catch for three yards on six targets before leaving. On the year, Hayden has been Pro Football Focus' No. 108 cover corner out of 120 qualifiers.

He was expected to battle T.J. Carrie for slot work, but Hayden has run away with the job. One of the NFL's least effective corners, Hayden will be someone to attack in DFS between stud boundary CBs Sean Smith and David Amerson.

D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie are battling for the starting nickel back position.

Neiko Thorpe will join the mix at slot corner when he returns from injury. Carrie will enter training camp as the favorite after starting 14 games last season. The Raiders declined Hayden's fifth-year option, making this a contract year for the failed former first-round pick. Sean Smith and David Amerson are locked in as the Raiders' first-team boundary corners.

Raiders CB D.J. Hayden sat out the final day of minicamp with a leg injury.

There's no indication it's a major injury, just a further reminder of Hayden's fragility. Hayden actually managed to appear in all 16 games last season, but was extremely ineffective. He's on the roster bubble.

The Raiders are not expected to exercise CB D.J. Hayden's fifth-year option.

Hayden has underachieved in his first three seasons and the Raiders upgraded at cornerback by signing Sean Smith this offseason. Smith is expected to start opposite David Amerson with T.J. Carrie sitting behind them at No. 3 on the depth chart. There's no way Oakland is going to fork over $8.026 million for a fourth-string corner. ESPN Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez has suggested Hayden might not even make the 53-man roster.

Hayden will almost certainly last through the offseason program, but the comment illustrates how precarious his position on the roster is. The No. 12 overall pick in 2013, Hayden has struggled to stay healthy and has struggled even more when on the field. It would be beyond a shock if Oakland picks up his fifth-year option, and it remains distinctly possible he is not on the roster Week 1.

D.J. Hayden played just five defensive snaps Week 12 against the Titans.

David Amerson replaced Hayden in the starting lineup and played almost every snap. Coach Jack Del Rio said after the game the switch has more to do with Amerson winning the job than Hayden losing it, but that is a damning statement unto itself. The former No. 12 overall pick is owed just under $2 million in salary and bonuses next season, but it is not a given Oakland keeps him around even at the low price.

Raiders CB D.J. Hayden's ankle was "heavily iced" and wrapped as he limped around the team facility on Monday.

Hayden's injury is in addition to SS Charles Woodson (shoulder) and FS Nate Allen's (ACL). The ankle ailment adds injury to insult after Hayden was rinsed in Sunday's beatdown by the Bengals, coughing up one of Tyler Eifert's touchdown passes and allowing 7-of-9 throws at him to be completed. Quite frankly, the Raiders might be better off if Hayden can't play moving forward.

The new coaching staff reportedly wanted the No. 12 overall pick of the 2013 draft to "prove" he was a starter, and he apparently did so in camp and the preseason. Plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness, Hayden has missed 14-of-32 games, and been limited to 10 starts. He wasn't particularly great in exhibition action. He'll be on the spot in September.

Swanson played every snap against the Bucs, so his symptoms apparently showed up after the game. With the Lions playing on Saturday, it is unlikely he is able to get cleared in time, especially considering he missed the final five games of last year due to a concussion. Graham Glasgow will fill in if Swanson cannot play.

Lions RT Rick Wagner is out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 13 game versus the Ravens with an ankle injury.

This is a potentially big loss for the Lions as Wagner has had a postive season after signing a five-year contract this offseason, receiving the ninth-highest grade of all offensive tackles in the NFL on the season. Brian Mihalik has entered the game at RT for the Lions.